Last update Oct. 9, 2016

Finasteride

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

Inhibitor of 5-α reductase enzyme that induces the pass of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone which has a greater androgenic effect.
Indicated for treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy.
Not authorized for use in women although it is used for treatment of hirsutism with same or greater efficacy than Spironolactone or Flutamide (Moghetti 2000), androgenetic alopecia (Shum 2002) and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Lakryc 2003) .

At latest update no published data on excretion into breast milk were found.
Its high plasma protein-binding capacity makes it unlikely the excretion of significant amounts into breastmilk.

Not alterations on prolactin level have been reported.

A known and safer alternative should be preferred until more published data on this drug related to breastfeeding is available within the first 6 mo after birth, especially during the neonatal period and in case of prematurity.
Exposure through breastmilk may be minimized by waiting at least 6 hours before resuming breastfeed after the last dose of drug.

Alternatives

  • Spironolactone (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Finasteride in other languages or writings:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Finasteride in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 63 - 80 %
Molecular weight 373 daltons
Protein Binding 90 - 93 %
VD 1.1 l/Kg
Tmax 1 - 2 hours
4.8 - 6 hours

References

  1. AEMPS. Finasterida. Ficha técnica. 2015 Full text (in our servers)
  2. Paparodis R, Dunaif A. The Hirsute woman: challenges in evaluation and management. Endocr Pract. 2011 Abstract
  3. FDA. Finasteride. Drug Summary. 2010 Full text (in our servers)
  4. Camacho-Martínez FM. Hair loss in women. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2009 Abstract
  5. Lakryc EM, Motta EL, Soares JM Jr, Haidar MA, de Lima GR, Baracat EC. The benefits of finasteride for hirsute women with polycystic ovary syndrome or idiopathic hirsutism. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2003 Abstract
  6. Shum KW, Cullen DR, Messenger AG. Hair loss in women with hyperandrogenism: four cases responding to finasteride. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002 Abstract
  7. Moghetti P, Tosi F, Tosti A, Negri C, Misciali C, Perrone F, Caputo M, Muggeo M, Castello R. Comparison of spironolactone, flutamide, and finasteride efficacy in the treatment of hirsutism: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2000 Abstract
  8. Uygur MC, Arik AI, Altuğ U, Erol D. Effects of the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride on serum levels of gonadal, adrenal, and hypophyseal hormones and its clinical significance: a prospective clinical study. Steroids. 1998 Abstract

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